An investigation commissioned by the National Women’s Soccer League and its players’ union found “widespread misconduct” directed at female players from the start, nearly a decade ago, of the country’s top professional women’s league.
A report detailing the results of the year-long investigation was published on Wednesday, just over two months after US Soccer’s October report on a separate investigation into former US Attorney General Sally Q. Yates was released. which found emotional abuse and sexual misconduct were systemic in the sport, impacting multiple teams, coaches and players.
The second investigation also found cases of sexual abuse and manipulation. The report commissioned by the NWSL said club staff in positions of power “made inappropriate sexual comments to players, mocked players’ bodies, pressured players to lose unhealthy weight, crossed professional boundaries with players and created manipulative working conditions “.
“They used derogatory and insulting language towards players, demonstrated insensitivity towards players’ mental health, and engaged in retaliation against players who tried to report or reported concerns,” the report said.
“This report clearly reflects how our league has systematically failed to protect our players. safe environment to participate at the highest level in a sport they love, and they have my unwavering commitment that delivering that change will remain a priority every day,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman.
The joint investigation was launched last year after a pair of former players came forward and accused longtime NWSL head coach Paul Riley of sexual harassment and coercion.
Riley, who denied the allegations, was fired by the North Carolina Courage in the aftermath. He was among five league head coaches who were fired or resigned in 2021 amid allegations of misconduct.
The consequences continued this year. Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paulson announced on Dec. 1 that he was putting the team up for sale amid orders that began after Yates’ report detailed how the Thorns mishandled complaints about Riley when he coached the team in 2014-15. Paulson stepped down as the team’s decision-maker in October and two Thorns executives were fired.
The investigative team for the joint investigation reached 780 current and former players, all 12 NWSL teams and 90 current and former club and league office staff. More than 200 documents were reviewed during the investigation, conducted by law firms Covington & Burling and Weil, Gotshal & Manges.
“While this report is the culmination of the tireless effort of many, it was the players who took the first steps to bring us to this moment,” said Meghann Burke, Executive Director of the NWSL Players Association. “When faced with the choice between silence or speech at real personal risk, players demanding a reckoning gave the NWSL a chance to transform.”
Two coaches, James Clarkson of the Houston Dash and Amanda Cromwell of the Orlando Pride, were suspended earlier this year on the recommendation of investigators. Cromwell was subsequently sacked.
Like the Yates report, the new report focused primarily on alleged misconduct involving Riley, former Chicago Red Stars head coach Rory Dames, and former Racing Louisville head coach Christy Holly. The three were among those fired or resigned last year.
It also detailed the allegations against former OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti, former Washington Spirit head coach Richie Burke, and former Gotham general manager Alyse LaHue, among others. Benstiti, Burke and LaHue were also fired or resigned in 2021.
The report said an ingrained culture contributed to players’ reluctance to come forward, including fears about league instability and job security, expectations of gratitude and acquiescence, sexism and gender bias, and lack of confidence in the league’s response.
“The individual incidents and recurrent practices detailed in this report reflect the experiences of female players, not just in isolated moments, but also more broadly, as women playing football in a league historically owned and run by men,” it said.
Contributing factors included a lack of background checks or similar verification for coaches, no clear guidance from the league’s front office for dealing with allegations of misconduct, and insufficient staffing at both the club and the league to deal with complaints.
The investigation offered recommendations to “ensure players and officials across the league and their clubs feel safe and confident when reporting misconduct”. They included strengthening the league’s existing anti-harassment policy to better define retaliation and adding a no fraternization policy.
“The Joint Investigation Team hopes that this report informs and contributes to the ongoing change needed to ensure the league’s players are safe, secure and empowered,” it said.
Associated Press report.
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